Walking Holidays - Berchtesgaden National Park

Berchtesgaden National Park

Walk around the Berchtesgaden National Park and Chiemgauer Alps region and enjoy stunning views of the High Alps and their foothills. Visit idyllic Lake Koenigssee and the picturesque mountain town of Reit im Winkl and stroll around the Bavarian Sea - Lake Chiemsee. This tour takes you from Germany to Austria and back to Germany again via alpine pastures, forests and gorges. There are also plenty of opportunities throughout the week to enjoy swimming at some of the natural pools and lakes along the way.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Schoenau/Koenigssee

Day 2: From Schoenau/Koenigssee toWeiβbach/Surroundings, Berchtesgaden National Park

Today you walk deep into the Berchtesgaden National Park past lake Hintersee. You are surrounded by impressive scenery along the way; to the right the summits of Reiter Alpe and to the left mighty Hochkalterer mountains. Walk across alpine pastures and into Austria at Hirschbichl, then down through Seisenbergklamm, a white water gorge into the Saalach valley.

Details: approx. 5 to 6 hours | 19km | Ascent 500m / Descent 500m.

Day 3: From Weiβbach/Surroundings to Lofer, Gorges and Pilgrims' paths'

Follow the Saalach valley to Lamprechts cave, one of the largest cave systems in Europe, and take time to visit before continuing to Vorderkaser gorge where you will find a natural swimming pool. You then head on to the high point of the day, St. Martin, home of the pilgrim church, Maria Kirchtal. Walk up to the church in an idyllic side valley closely along the walls of Loferer Steinberge. On this beautiful trail you will soon reach the town of Lofer, surrounded by numerous impressive mountain ranges.

Details: approx. 4 hours | 14km | Ascent 320m / Descent 370m.

Day 4: From Lofer to Reit im Winkl, Loferer Alm

The day starts with a cable car ride up to Loferer Alm, where a high altitude path to the Steinplatten massif starts. Walk across alpine pastures and a lovely mountain forest to Loferer Steinplatte. The idyllic alpine pasture Winklmoos Alm is an ideal stop for a Bavarian 'Brotzeit'. From here take the bus to Reit im Winkl.

Details: approx. 5.5 to 6 hours | 16km | Ascent 740m / Descent 600m.

Day 5: Day off in Reit im Winkl

Enjoy a day off in Reit im Winkl. There are options for circular walks here up to Fellhorn or to lake Weitsee where you can enjoy a swim.

Day 6: From Reit im Winkl to Unterwössen/Marquartstein, Alpine pastures

Today's walk takes you to 'The Eye of lake Chiemsee'. This is the poetic name given to lake Taubensee, easily understood when you see this idyllic mountain lake, nestling in a little basin of Rauhe Nadel at 1138m. A fantastic walk through alpine pastures and downhill into the Achental valley finishes the day.

Details: approx. 5.5 to 6 hours | 16km | Ascent 700m / Descent 840m.

Day 7: From Unterwössen/Marquartstein to Prien/Surroundings, Kampenwand

After a short ascent you walk through the forests up to the alpine pastures on Hochplatte and then to Kampenwand with views over Lake Chiemsee. Continue on a trail from cabin to cabin beneath Kampenwand, which has a beautiful 12 metre high iron cross at the top. You will take the comfortable cable car down to Aschau, from where you take a short train ride to Lake Chiemsee.

Route Overview

Daily walking tours between 4 to 6 hours with some short but steep climbs. Easier alternatives to the high altitude paths are given. You walk on good walking paths and forest lanes. Sometimes surefootedness required.

Travel Information

We recommend flying to Salzburg or Munich and arriving by train to the starting point in Berchtesgaden. For more information on rail travel, please visit Deutsche Bahn. By train to Berchtesgaden then by bus or taxi for the short ride to Schoenau/Koenigssee (appox. 15 min).

Important: Please book your flights only after this walking trip has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.

General, visa, passport and health information.

For passport and visa information, please check the relevant section on this page: https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports. General Travel and health Information for your destination is available on the FCO website. Click here for the latest travel advice for Germany, and click here for useful ‘know before you go’ information also from the FCO. Please note that this information relates to UK passport holders only and that other nationalities should refer to their own authorities for this information.

Travel Insurance

For details of specialist insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. You must ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you to participate in the activities included as part of your holiday.

Accommodation

The Berchtesgaden National Park tour has a choice of Category B accommodation - pretty 3 star hotels and Category 'Charm' accommodation - pretty 3 and 4* hotels. All accommodation is carefully chosen for their location, hospitality and proximity to your tour route.

Category 'Charm' accommodation is as follows:

Night 1 - 3* Hotel Bergheimat, Schoenau

A traditional hotel, surrounded by forests and meadows and just a short walk from Königssee. Rooms are in Alpine style and have a fantastic mountain view.

Nights 2 & 3 - 3* Family & Vitalhotel Mühlpointhof, Lofer

The Mühlpointhof is surrounded by the mountains of the Loferer Steinberge and is a great place to relax with its outdoor pool, and spacious wellness area with pool and saunas. Rooms are large and comfortable.

Nights 4 & 5 - 4* Hotel Gut Steinbach, Reit im Winkl

The main building of this hotel dates back to the 15th Century. It has recently been renovated to offer a quiet retreat with beautiful rooms, a perfect blend of the rustic and the modern.

Night 6 - 4* Achentaler Vitalhotel, Unterwössen

Located in a central location in Unterwössen, the hotel has clear views of the surrounding mountains. Rooms are elegantly designed in alpine style. The hotel also offers Spa facilities.

Night 7 - 4* Garden Hotel Reinhart, Prien Stock

Just a few metres from the lake, harbour and promenade the Garden Hotel is in a prime location. Rooms are Bavarian style and there is also an indoor pool and sauna.